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ByteDance Confirms Ongoing US Talks as TikTok Gets 75-Day Lifeline From Trump

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ByteDance has officially confirmed that it is in active discussions with the U.S. government regarding a deal that would allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States. This announcement came shortly after former President Donald Trump granted the Chinese tech giant an additional 75 days to divest its U.S. TikTok operations. Without a successful deal, the popular video-sharing platform faces the threat of being banned in one of its largest markets.

In its statement, ByteDance acknowledged that while progress had been made, several key issues remain unresolved. The company emphasized that any final agreement would need to align not only with U.S. regulatory requirements but also comply with Chinese laws governing foreign transactions and technology transfers. The extended timeline now gives ByteDance until mid-November to reach a resolution that satisfies all parties involved.

President Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, framed the extension as a necessary step to secure TikTok’s future in the U.S. market. “The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed,” he stated, highlighting the complexity of the negotiations. The executive order marks the second reprieve issued by Trump in an ongoing saga that began with national security concerns over data privacy and Chinese government influence. TikTok’s U.S. operations have been valued between $20 billion and $150 billion, making the stakes incredibly high for ByteDance.

To facilitate a successful transaction, Trump has appointed several high-ranking officials, including Vice President JD Vance and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, to oversee and vet prospective buyers. The involvement of these key figures underscores the political and economic importance of the deal. Although this extension pushes the boundaries of the law signed by President Biden, which allows only a single 90-day extension, the move suggests that Washington remains committed to keeping TikTok alive under American ownership—provided the right conditions are met.

Blackstone Considers Minority Investment in U.S. TikTok Spinoff

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Private equity giant Blackstone is exploring a potential minority investment in TikTok’s U.S. operations, joining a group of non-Chinese shareholders led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic. This group is actively discussing fresh capital infusion to bid for TikTok’s U.S. business, with plans to spin off the U.S. operations into a separate entity, reducing Chinese ownership below the 20% threshold required by U.S. law.

This move comes as TikTok’s future in the U.S. hangs in the balance due to national security concerns. A law passed last year mandates ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19 or face a potential ban. While the deadline has been extended under President Trump’s administration, negotiations continue to ensure compliance with the law.

ByteDance and its investors, including Blackstone, have yet to disclose the amount of new investment needed to meet the divestment requirements. Legal filings indicate that global investors own about 58% of ByteDance, with the company’s Chinese founder Zhang Yiming holding another 21%. Employees from various nationalities, including 7,000 Americans, own the remaining shares.

Discussions surrounding TikTok’s future involve significant U.S. government input, with the White House acting as a key player in the deal-making process.

Senators Urge Trump to Support Congressional Plan for TikTok Sale Deadline Extension

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Three Democratic senators have called on President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for extending the deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell a majority stake in the app to U.S. owners. This call comes amid ongoing concerns over a potential ban of TikTok in the United States.

Earlier this year, Trump unilaterally extended the original deadline from January 19 to April 5 by postponing the enforcement of a law requiring ByteDance to divest a majority stake to U.S. investors. Trump suggested that he may further extend this deadline to provide additional time to finalize a deal.

Senators Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, and Cory Booker expressed concerns about the legality and the long-term future of TikTok under the current non-enforcement stance, stating that the deadline extension should be handled through legislation passed by Congress. They urged Trump to back a proposal that would extend the deadline until October. The senators emphasized the need for a legislative solution, pointing out that TikTok is used by 170 million Americans and should not be left in limbo.

In response, the White House has yet to comment, but discussions have reportedly been focusing on a plan that would involve the largest non-Chinese investors in ByteDance increasing their stakes to take over the U.S. operations of TikTok. This move aims to dilute Chinese ownership, thereby addressing national security concerns regarding the app’s potential use in influence operations.

The fate of TikTok has been uncertain for months, with some reports suggesting that the Trump administration is working on a deal involving Oracle and other investors to take control of TikTok’s U.S. operations. The senators have called for clarity from Trump regarding the legal basis for any further extensions and whether the White House is in negotiations with Oracle to manage TikTok’s user data security.